THE ACCOUNT OF ANSON'S TRIP. 



435 



as not disgraced by a comparison with the valleys of Juan Fer- 

 nandez or the lawns of Tinian. The fortuitous escapes and 

 remarkable adventures which had characterized the career of his 

 famous ship continued till she saluted the British forts. The 

 French had espoused the cause of Spain; and a large French 

 fleet was cruising in the Chops of the Channel at the moment 

 when the Centurion crossed it. The log afterwards proved 

 that she had run directly through the hostile squadron, con- 

 cealed from view by a dense and friendly fog. She arrived safe 

 at Spithead, on the 15th of June, after an absence of three- 

 years and nine months. Anson caused the captured wealth to< 

 be transported to London, upon thirty-two wagons, to the sound! 

 of drum and fife. The two millions were divided, according to 

 the laws which regulate the distribution of prize-money, between- 

 Anson, his officers and men, — the crown abandoning every 

 penny to those who had suffered and fought for it. Anson was 

 now the richest man in the naval service. The sympathy and: 

 applause bestowed upon him by the public may be imagined from 

 the fact that the narrative of his voyage went through four im- 

 mense editions in a single year, was translated into seven 

 European languages, and met with a far greater success than 

 had ever fallen to the lot of any maritime journal. 



